Synonym Chooser

How is the word customary distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of customary are accustomed, habitual, usual, and wonted. While all these words mean "familiar through frequent or regular repetition," customary applies to what accords with the practices, conventions, or usages of an individual or community.

the customary waiting period before the application is approved

How does the word accustomed relate to other synonyms for customary?

Accustomed is less emphatic than wonted or habitual in suggesting fixed habit or invariable custom.

accepted the compliment with her accustomed modesty

When is it sensible to use habitual instead of customary?

In some situations, the words habitual and customary are roughly equivalent. However, habitual suggests a practice settled or established by much repetition.

a habitual morning routine

When might usual be a better fit than customary?

While the synonyms usual and customary are close in meaning, usual stresses the absence of strangeness or unexpectedness.

my usual order for lunch

When is wonted a more appropriate choice than customary?

The meanings of wonted and customary largely overlap; however, wonted stresses habituation but usually applies to what is favored, sought, or purposefully cultivated.

his wonted determination

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of customary The North Carolina native ended up choosing Kirkconnell during the finale, though declined the customary proposal. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025 After his election in 2016, the annual Kennedy Center Honors was caught in the partisan crossfire as numerous artists vowed not to take part in the prestigious event if Trump were to attend, as has been customary for the U.S. president for decades. Paul Harris, Variety, 24 Mar. 2025 Employees were not offered the chance of reassignment elsewhere in the agency; they were given thirty days of notice even though sixty is customary. David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025 Max Brazil’s first telenovela didn’t have a happy ending for its lead characters, as is customary in the genre. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for customary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for customary
Adjective
  • That’s not to say there isn’t more cleanup than usual between showings.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • While the set seems a bit on the chintzy side, scenic designer Beowulf Boritt does his usual stellar work, assisted immensely by Ken Billington’s full-of-pizzazz lighting design.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There are also displays dedicated to how Cartier translated the traditional arts of China, Japan, Iran, Egypt and the Russian Empire, where the House of Fabergé was famed for its decoratively colorful designs.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The idea came from my frustration with traditional methods used to teach hospitality management.
    Betsy Pudliner, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Until Black Panther’s record breaking $235 million opening, conventional industry wisdom held that films with predominantly Black casts typically underperform financially overseas.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
  • At a computer convention, Trent (Fleck) expresses excitement over programs that Josh (Macer) has devised for keyboard, mimicking conventional instrumentation.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But the report cautioned that the positive results could change if current economic volatility leads to a deterioration of the jobs market.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • While the English top flight stands out globally for its elite level of football, the choice of listening material among its current managers is much more middle of the road, with Coldplay the band most cited during our writers’ research.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Customary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/customary. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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